Business Briefs: Feb. 23, 2012

Liberty Tax Service salutes veterans, active military and their immediate family members with free tax preparation at the Liberty Tax Service office in Elk River from February 20-26. This is for first-time customers of Liberty Tax.

Liberty Tax Service is located at 18853 Freeport St. NW, next to Little Caesars. For more details, call 763-515-1521.

Farm diversification loans offered

Minnesota farmers can apply for low-interest loans to help them adopt practices that will lead them to a more sustainable farming system. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Sustainable Agriculture Loan Program provides loans for capital purchases to help farmers diversify their operations or implement environmentally sound practices. Individual farmers are eligible to receive up to $40,000 in loans for the purchase of new or used equipment and/or facilities.

For an application or additional information, visit the MDA website www.mda.state.mn.us and click on “Grants, Loans, and Financing,” or contact Wayne Monsen, 651-201-6260, or at [email protected]

New staff joins East Central Library

Director Barbara Misselt recently announced the addition of two new staff members to the headquarters staff of East Central Regional Library. Carla Lydon was named the new Assistant Director and Shelly Anderson was named new Administrative Services Manager.

Lydon assumes the Assistant Director position of Nick Dimassis, who left in December for a new position as director of the Carver County library system. Anderson became the new Administrative Services Manager following Shari Wilcox who retired this past December after 38 years in the position.

Maurices offers internship program

Maurices, a nationwide young women’s clothing store with a location in Elk River, is offering a Store Management Internship Program. This 10-week paid internship opportunity, which focuses on “real world” in-store experience, is available to 60 students nationwide. The maurices store at Elk Park Center is one of the internship locations. Internships are paid and typically credit-based. In addition, each student receives $500 in tuition reimbursement from maurices, a 40 percent discount on clothing, and two of the interns will receive $1,000 scholarships. Students interested in an internship can inquire in person with Joanna Arbic, Store Manager at maurices, 19180 Freeport Street N W, Elk River.